Mashal Khan’s murder: Police open hate speech probe against two clerics

PESHAWAR: Police opened a hate speech investigation involving two clerics on Sunday after the killing of a university student over allegations that he committed blasphemy.The clerics are accused of attempting to disrupt the funeral of student Mashal Khan, who was beaten to death by fellow students after a dormitory debate was followed by accusations of blasphemy being spread across a university campus in Mardan.

Police say they are investigating the clerics in Mashal Khan's hometown of Swabi for attempting to disrupt funeral proceedings and instigate hatred against the dead student's family.

"The two clerics used the mosque loudspeaker for hate speech against the slain student and his family and created hurdles for the people and another cleric to participate in the funeral," a senior Swabi police official told Reuters. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted by religious hardliners.

A local imam had refused to lead the funeral prayers at Mashal Khan's funeral on Friday, according to Swabi resident Salman Ahmed. A technician, who was asked to do so in the cleric's place, was confronted by several people afterwards.